Matthew 21 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Yeshua went into the temple complex and drove out all those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves. And He said to them, ‘It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of thieves.’” Matthew 21:12-13

I've tried to imagine Yeshua clearing the temple within the context of all the other images of him that exist. There is the simple wisdom of “country-come-city” Yeshua, almost an Andy Griffith type. Don’t forget the cartoonish Shabbat School “felt board” Yeshua. And of course, you've got the image of the vulnerable blond haired, blue-eyed frail “Jesus” portrayed by renaissance European Stained glass and fine artists. “Clearing the temple” Yeshua foreshadows the returning King redeeming His bride (the Messianic community-at-large) and judging the world.
Yeshua announced a new era when he cleared the temple. He sent two very clear messages to the ruling elite:1) The temple is His inheritance, and 2) There is room in the covenant for all the nations.
Yeshua claims ownership of the temple by quoting Isaiah, “MY house…” He didn't say “Your” house, “Our” house, or “G_d’s” house. This was personal.

A deeper look at the context of the Isaiah quote reveals why Yeshua chose this particular passage. Isaiah 56 sends a message of hope for all people. Yeshua’s statement: A relationship with G_d has never been, (nor would it ever be) an exclusively Hebrew thing. It has always been (and will forever remain) a “by grace, through faith” thing. Eph 2:8-9

“And the foreigners who convert to the L_rd, minister to Him, Love the L_rd’s name and are His servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it, and who hold firmly to My covenant – I will bring them to My holy mountain and let them rejoice in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:6-7

Yeshua told the temple establishment, in essence, “Get ready because I am opening My house up to WHOSOEVER turns to Me."

“For G_d so loved the World, He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Note that Isaiah did NOT prophesy, “Whoever converts to Judaism”, rather, “Whoever converts to the L_RD.” What worship had become had strayed from G_d’s Word; Yeshua was restoring a right understanding. I pray that the L_rd gives you clarity and right understanding of His Word, by the revelation of His Ruach (Spirit), so that you can walk rightly before Him and rightly divide the truth when men claim to be speaking on behalf of Him.

Blessings.
~Steve Wiggins, Assistant Rabbi
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Friday, May 10, 2013

 




 

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